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On Tuesday in Stepanakert a festive public rally and march was organized dedicated to 30th anniversary of Artsakh Movement.

As Artsakhpress correspondent reports, participants of the march walked along the capital’s central streets to the Stepanakert Revival Square holding posters and flags. A festive event dedicated to 30th anniversary of Artsakh Movement took place in the Revival Square.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Barkev Martirosian delivered a blessing speech at the public rally.

During the event documentary films about the Karabakh Movement were shown.

Artsakh Republic President, Pago Sahagian, delivered a speech at the public rally, saying that the year of 1988 was a turning point in the history of the Armenian nation.

‘’Three decades ago these days the entire Armenian nation joined forces, doubled their fist, alerting the whole world of their readiness to struggle for living free and secure in their Fatherland.

This nationwide outburst was a dare given to tyranny, persecutions, gross violations and abuses of human rights, all the scourges, which our people had undergone over the course of their centuries-old history. And the movement was wreathed with the restoration of the independent Armenian statehood.

In this struggle for survival, unfortunately, we have had irretrievable losses. The best sons and daughters of our people have sacrificed their lives for the sacred mission of defending the Motherland. They are not victims, they are martyred heroes who have become immortal and continue the sacred mission of being the Motherland defenders inspiring and obliging to devotedly serve the homeland, work for the glory of its development and strengthening.

During all these years we have always felt the special care of Mother Armenia towards Artsakh. Our achievements and accomplishments are impossible to imagine without the active and immediate participation of the Republic of Armenia.

Today we solve great and responsible tasks together. We are all resolute and will do our best to make the future day reliable, our homeland stronger and more prosperous.

The adversary must always know that the language of force is doomed to failure. Our people, our army and the whole Armenian people will give a worthy counterstroke to every encroachment that threatens our freedom and security,’’ the President said.

One of the leaders of Karabakh Movement Hamlet Krikorian in his speech noted that the 30th anniversary of Karabakh Movement is an all-Armenian festival. “Let’s recall those who didn’t ignore the Armenian issue in the 20th century. It’s a fact that our republic is not recognized, but it’s also true that the legitimacy of our republic hasn’t been questioned at any international court to this day,’’ said Hamlet Krikorian.

Recalling the public rally of 1988, Karabakh Movement activist and Artsakh hero Janna Kalstian said, “At that time we were oppressed. Today our powerful army defends us. Today we have gathered here not only to pay tribute to the leaders of Karabakh Movement but also to mark the beginning of a new stage, which is the development stage.’’

During the event representatives of political powers and famous cultural figures of Armenia, Russia, France, Great Britain, US and European Parliament delivered congratulatory messages on the 30th anniversary of Karabakh Movement via video.